It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Simon Prodger. He was a valued industry member and has contibuted so much within his career. Including his role as ACE Chairman and Newstraid Chairman. We send our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Lyn and his family.
Personal Tributes
“NewstrAid was very sad to learn of the passing of Simon Prodger. Simon took over the Chairmanship of NewstrAid in 2008 succeeding Jeff Bardsley before passing on the role to Mike Mirams in 2012.
Many of us will have worked with Simon at some point in our career. For me it was with NewstrAid but also during his time as Chairman of Ace when I sat on the Trustee Board and enjoyed some great times at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street following Trustee meetings.
Simon was a huge cricket fan and aficionado and an all-round good guy. Any time spent in Simon’s company was time well spent and he will be sadly missed. (Neil Jagger)”
“ Simon, who died on 16th April 2023, aged 63, had a long and distinguished career in the newspaper and magazine industry. He had a charming personality, always ready to take up a challenge or get involved in activities outside work. His enduring passion was cricket, which he played to club level and, after leaving the news trade, would lead him to establishing associations to attract African Carribbean and South Asian youngsters into mainstream cricket.
He started his career in the family business – news wholesaler, Wilce Taylor. After the firm was taken over, he moved to Johnson’s International, where he stayed for 18 years rising to managing director. Later he was MD of Reed Aviation and, for a short spell, Menzies Select. In his spare time, he was chairman of ACE, followed by chairing the NewstrAid Benevolent Fund for 5 years. On leaving the news trade he became heavily involved with Watford Cricket Club, having originally played for the club after stints at Harlow and Hoddesden clubs. He was still chairing Watford when he died. As well as chairmanship of Watford CC and his work with the South Asian and Carribbean Associations, he was also involved with a charity helping develop cricket among slum dwellers in Nairobi and a trustee of the Club Cricket Charity.
Above all, Simon was always good fun to be with and a trustworthy, honest man.(Alex van Straubenzee)”
If you would like to leave a personal tribute to Simon on this page you are very welcome to email chair@acecirculation.com